ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.20 | May 23 2012

O-GlcNAc Regulates Pluripotency and Reprogramming by Directly Acting on Core Components of the Pluripotency Network
O-linked-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) has emerged as a critical regulator of diverse cellular processes, but its role in embryonic stem cells and pluripotency has not been investigated. Here researchers showed that O-GlcNAcylation directly regulates core components of the pluripotency network. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract

Molecular Analysis of FMR1 Reactivation in Fragile-X Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Neuronal Derivatives
Investigators evaluated the reactivation of FMR1 in fragile-X-induced pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated neuronal derivatives by epigenetic modulating drugs. [J Mol Cell Biol]
Full Article | Press Release

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Primary Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Patient Samples
Researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from imatinib-sensitive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patient samples. Remarkably, the CML-iPSCs were resistant to imatinib although they consistently expressed BCR-ABL oncoprotein. [Blood] Abstract

Efficient Introduction of Specific TP53 Mutations into Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts and Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers described a rapid, precise method for generating sets of embryonic stem cells or mouse embryonic fibroblasts harboring point mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Renal Proximal Tubular Cells with Only Two Transcription Factors: OCT4 and SOX2
Investigators described the rapid, reproducible and highly efficient generation of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from endogenous kidney tubular renal epithelial cells with only two transcriptional factors: OCT4 and SOX2. [J Biol Chem] Full Article

Highly Sensitive In Vitro Methods for Detection of Residual Undifferentiated Cells in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Derived from Human iPS Cells
The findings provide highly sensitive and quantitative in vitro assays essential for facilitating safety profiling of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived products for future regenerative medicine research. [PLoS One] Full Article

Mechanics Regulates Fate Decisions of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Results highlighted the important functional link between matrix rigidity, cellular mechanics, and pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and provided a novel approach to characterize and understand mechanotransduction and its involvement in hESC function. [PLoS One] Full Article

Three-Dimensional Growth Matrix for Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neuronal Cells
Researchers characterized the suitability of a 3D synthetic hydrogel matrix, PuraMatrix™, as a growth platform for human embryonic stem cell-derived neural cells. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

World’s First Approved Stem Cell Drug; Osiris Receives Marketing Clearance from Health Canada for Prochymal
Osiris Therapeutics Inc. announced that it has received market authorization from Health Canada to market its stem cell therapy Prochymal^® (remestemcel-L) for the treatment of acute graft-vs-host disease in children. [Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

iPierian Advances Monoclonal Antibody Drug Development Programs Targeting Tau Protein and the Complement System for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
iPierian, Inc. announced the first development programs in its drug pipeline: monoclonal antibodies to treat neurodegenerative diseases by targeting the Tau protein and the Complement pathway. iPierian’s approach using induced pluripotent stem cells, offers a distinctive angle into the importance of Tau in specific patient populations. [iPierian, Inc.] Press Release

IntelliCell BioSciences Announces Collaborative Agreement with the University of Florida on Stem Cell and Tissue Repair Research
IntelliCell BioSciences, Inc. announced that it has entered a sponsored research agreement with the Institute for Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Florida. [PR Newswire] Press Release

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Funds 40 New Proposals in FY 2012
The board of directors of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation approved the Commission’s recommendation to fund 40 new proposals with the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund’s $12.4 million FY 2012 budget. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund] Press Release

New Global Research Council Takes Off
A new group of government research funders from around the world announced that it will try to find common ground on two big issues in its inaugural year: defining research integrity and promoting open access to scientific information. [Global Research Council] Press Release

South Korean Research Center Seeks Place at the Top
South Korea has launched an ambitious institute that it hopes will eventually rank alongside Germany’s Max Planck Society and Japan’s RIKEN as one of the world’s leading basic-research institutions. [South Korean President, South Korea] Press Release

Chinese University Wins Degree of Freedom
South University of Science and Technology of China to pioneer educational reform without government control. [Ministry of Education, China] Press Release

Scientist – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Endothelial Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Antibody and Hybridoma Technology Platforms (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Contract Assay Services (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Research (SPIN PhD College)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Induced Neurogenesis (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

Stem Cell Researcher (BioTalentum Ltd.)

Research Scientist (Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in ESC & iPSC News? Click here to submit!

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.